Personality Theft Parasite (15)
Yustia continued to have dreams of being with Mael frequently after that. The dreams varied each time, but the content was almost always the same. She would spend intimate time alone with Mael, and as the mood deepened, their bodies would entwine. From penetration to climax, Mael always took the lead. He was gentle and skilled. That fact sometimes sparked suspicions that he might have been with other women, but she eventually stopped caring. It was clear he loved her. He whispered "I love you" endlessly in her ear and proved it with his actions. The feel of his long, hard shaft stroking her depths, the caress of his hands on her skin, the touch of his lips and tongue—all of it led Yustia to ecstatic paradise. Something impossible without love, or so she believed. How could a man and woman commune, entwine their bodies, and create life without love? At least, in Yustia's mind, it was inconceivable.
"Yustia, your face when you feel it... it's so beautiful."
"Stop saying I'm pretty..."
Yustia blushed coyly and continued. "You're making me... keep getting the wrong idea..."
Lately, she often found herself checking the mirror or fussing with her hair for no reason. She, who had never cared about her appearance before, now couldn't help but notice it. She didn't want to blame him, but Yustia thought it was because of this man who sweetly whispered compliments every time they met.
"It's the truth. Yustia, you're stunning. You should show it more. Everyone would love you for it."
"I don't really... want that. Mael's love is enough for me..."
"That might change when the time comes."
Mael reached out, wrapping his arm around Yustia's head and pulling her close. Soon, their lips met without either initiating first. Yustia tangled her tongue with his in a deep, passionate kiss. Below, her pussy—still fresh from his recent ejaculation—was expelling the cum pooled inside, creating an empty space. Her cock-starved depths hungered again soon after. Savoring the intense tongue play, she let saliva drip from her lips and murmured in a dazed expression.
"Mael... I..."
"I know. You want it again, don't you?"
"Yeah♥"
Even after three rounds, Mael's cock remained erect.
"This time, why don't you put it in?"
"Yeah♥"
Yustia agreed eagerly. She gripped his long, hot shaft with her hand, positioning it between her legs. Then she spread her pussy by lifting one leg sideways. Strings of semen stretched taut as the hole gaped open. In that moment—her face flushed with lewd, lust-drenched desire that would shock anyone who knew her usual self, hips lowering toward his cock—
Knock knock knock.
A sudden unfamiliar sound jolted her awake from deep slumber.
Yustia lay in her lodging's bed. Kicked out of the dream at its sweetest peak, she irritably pulled the blanket over her head, squeezing her eyes shut to return to that banished paradise. But the knocking resumed—knock knock knock—disturbing her again.
Fuming, at her wit's end, Yustia threw off the covers and rose from bed.
"Who is it?"
Opening the door revealed a blonde elf in a cloak.
"Master!"
Elia threw herself into Yustia's arms, sobbing.
"E-Elia? What's wrong?"
"I don't know what to do. My future looks so bleak."
Elia poured out her troubles. The Merchant Guild was pressuring her harder over Karl's disappearance. Nobles seemingly bribed by them had joined in condemning her.
"We can't supply healing potions properly, so resentment's building in the guild too... I might get kicked out. Can't you do something, Master?"
It was a tricky request. As a public figure, she could only intervene if a violation was clear and posed a threat to the city—like with the Hunter's Guild.
"But as you know, I..."
"It's impossible, right? I get it. Sorry for coming so late unannounced. I just... you're the only one I can rely on."
Elia's face darkened as she bowed and turned to leave. In that instant, her figure overlapped with Mael's in Yustia's eyes.
"Wait."
Was it because of that? Yustia found herself speaking unthinkingly.
"Alright. I'll try something."
She didn't want to lose anyone precious again.
The next day, Yustia visited the Alchemist Society. Not on official duty, she skipped her armor. It was ironic—her constant armored presence made her unarmored face less recognizable, easier to conceal her identity. Even the society executive greeting her didn't recognize her at first.
"Who'd have thought the Silver Knight was such a beauty. Honestly surprised."
The bearded, pot-bellied man—Galbin, who had taken Karl's place after his disappearance—said.
"Enough about my looks."
Yustia brushed her pink hair over her shoulder. Before, it would have been genuine indifference; now, it bordered on pretense.
"Straight to the point. What will it take to end this farce?"
She crossed her legs and asked curtly. Galbin's gaze flicked downward briefly. Her short skirt rode up, faintly revealing her panties inside. Unused to such cumbersome attire, Yustia didn't notice. Today's whim to emphasize her 'feminine side' for persuasion—a thought uncharacteristic of her—stemmed from Mael's dream words. Normally she'd scoff, but she went with it.
"You're taking the adventurers' side, when you should be neutral. They caused this mess. Where's Karl?"
"Not the adventurers' doing."
"Proof?"
Yustia hesitated for the first time.
"None, huh. No negotiation then. Even if you had it, we wouldn't."
"...What?"
"Think we're idiots? This situation favors us hugely. Without our say-so, that Elia girl gets ousted soon. We've got backers and ways to sway opinion—pinning all blame on her is easy."
Galbin leered.
"So tell her to come beg herself. Spread her legs, and I might change my mind. Or you could."
Something snapped inside Yustia. But she mustered patience.
"Why go this far? So many are suffering."
"Not my problem. We're a profit group. If this city's squeezed dry, we move on."
That demolished the last barrier in her—the wall of reason, cracked by targeted assaults she didn't notice. Galbin's reckless—yet orchestrated—words finished it.
"Then die."
Yustia drew her concealed dagger in a flash, slashing Galbin's throat. The greedy merchant didn't realize until his vision tilted, face twisting in belated horror. By then, he was a corpse.
"Hah... hah..."
An emotional impulse. No phrase less fitting for her. But it was stark reality.
Footsteps approached outside, followed by a knock.
"Mr. Galbin. Word from the Guild."
Drenched in cold sweat, Yustia scanned frantically. No time to think. She chose flight—leapt out the window after checking it clear. Distant screams faintly echoed.
She wandered streets till nightfall. Her mind blank from shock, thoughts void. As dusk fell and rain poured, she returned soaked to her lodging, locked the door, and collapsed onto the sofa.
Killing wasn't new. Her victims always deserved it. But him? Didn't he too? Even so, consequences were obvious. This wouldn't better the city or save Elia.
Yes. The shock was her own recklessness—self-loathing for worsening everything.
"Who’s there?"
Yustia startled, looking around. She realized the voice came from within her. And whose it was.
"Mael...?"
"How...? This isn't a dream... Don't tell me all this was a dream?"
She asked, half-escaping reality. Would that be better? She wasn't sure. Dreams had become her ultimate bliss—a heaven alone with Mael, free from worldly pains. If this was a dream, she'd sullied that sanctuary.
"But I... I've done something irreversible."
Yustia sniffled. Only before Mael could she show weakness.
Mael spoke tenderly, as always. She even felt his hand caressing her cheek. How? He was dead. Perhaps some magic.
"But... it'll spiral out of control because of me."
"How?"
A method flashed in her mind. But it was unthinkable for Yustia.
"I can't do that. Destroy the city... with my own hands?"
Mael's hands roamed her body intimately. That gentle yet possessive touch bewildered and soaked her.
"Ah...♥"
As it reached between her legs, Yustia thought uncharacteristically: abandon everything and flee. To Mael. But now, impossible—he was right beside her.
As if reading her, Mael said,
The words pierced her desperation. The proud swordswoman clung pathetically.
"Yes. Please, Mael. Lead me... the right way."
Mael would know. The steadfast leader who'd guided everyone. The man she loved.
Yustia obeyed. Hands clasped in prayer, eyes shut. A slender something pierced her nape beneath the skin. Her mind hazed. She could resist, but didn't. This grip was Mael's. Thus,
Yustia surrendered everything to him.